A Trip to St. Louis

I love traveling, especially by plane. As I flew across Louisiana, Arkansas and entered Missouri, I was amazed (as I always am) by the view of both the landscape and the heavens from such an altitude.

Take off and landing are always thrilling, and soaring through the skies and looking down to pillows of clouds always puts me in awe.

As I watched a magnificent sunset from the air I found myself saying out loud "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world" from Psalm 19.

I tried for a moment to understand how anyone being surrounded by such glory could doubt the presence of a wonderful Creator. I considered the logic of thinking that all of this just evolved this way by chance.

No, I smiled, nothing but the word of God could have created such magnificence as the skies.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1 boldly states.

Nothing but these pure words of scripture is even logical.

Soon, my view was hindered as we passed through the clouds for a while.

When I touched down, I made my way to the curbside where I was reunited with some very dear friends from New Orleans. They lost practically everything they owned in the flood, have two very small children and are due for their third baby in just a few weeks. Since he is an airline pilot, he can get us free passes to various places, so we decided to take 10 days and come help them move.

Since they know very few people here, they definitely needed some help with the moving and unpacking process.

Of course, it was a great blessing for us because we love their family very much and were glad to have a great reason to see them again.

So now, taking a break from the demands of the household to make a post, I am reminded just how gracious God is. Seeing how he takes lives that were broken and making them whole is magnificent to watch.

We shall return home next Tuesday, just in time for several gigs in June.

Blessings!

~Robin <><

MHEA Conference

This past weekend was Mississippi's homeschool conference. Mr. Doug Phillips was supposed to speak, but was instead in the hospital with kidney stones. He sent Geoffrey Botkin in his place.
It was very good and we were able to make a few connections about finding a church somewhere within 100 miles! Today we'll be visiting a Reformed Baptist church in Port Gibson (about an hour north, but it's a beautiful drive up the Natchez Trace). So, we'll see! We got the names of a few other churches to try, so we'll be busy visiting churches for the next several Sundays.
Anyway, the conference wasn't very big (at least not compared to the Louisiana conference), but they had some very knowledgeable speakers who delivered some very convicting talks.
All in all, it was definitely worth the drive to Jackson.

Merisha and I are in the Sunday paper here in Natchez today, so we're excited about getting our name out and seeing what kind of response we get from it.
Many of our friends have told us "Oh, you've got to play at my wedding! Reserve a Saturday for me in about 5 years."
None of them have grooms, but hey, they've got musicians lined up :)

Anyway, I must get going...I would have posted sooner but my computer is quite fickle and likes to freeze up etc.

Blessings,
~Robin <><

Katy Run

Well, we got our first load from the storage building in Katy this past weekend.
We received help from some very kind people from our church there and were able to get over half of the stuff loaded up in just a few hours.
It was quite a treat to be able to see some friends there in Katy that we haven't seen since our initial move.

The drive was long, but had it's comic relief moments (on Hwy 84, we passed a sign on the side of a building that had a picture of a women with long dark hair and read: "Virtuous Women Fitness and Tanning." For some reason that struck us as funny and got a bit of mileage out of it. Perhaps we were just tired!)
Anyway, it rained the entire way back from Katy (very hard for the first several hours) and since I come from a family who has bad weather phobia, it was a bit tense.
We all survived, though! We'll be making another trip in the next week or two to get the rest of our stuff.
I'm definitely looking forward to having the move behind us and getting settled in!

~Robin <><

Keeping up with the times!

I AM: hid with Christ in God
I WANT: to see the world
I WILL: appear with Christ in glory
I WISH: I didn't have a headache
I HATE: stupid movies
I LOVE: playing music or singing with my sister in a room with wood floors
I MISS: lots of people
I FEAR: marrying someone who turns out to be a jerk
I HEAR: complete silence. A welcome relief after spending 5 hours listening to the Baptism Debate
I WONDER: why sincere, learned, God-fearing people come to different beliefs and convictions
I REGRET: not practicing my instruments more when I was younger
I AM NOT: hungry
I DANCE: any chance I get. In fact, I taught a historical dance today
I SING: all the time.
I CRY: on rare, heart-wrenching occasions
I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: practically nothing. I'm not very handy
I WRITE: on my blog, but especially letters and e-mails.
I CONFUSE: Farmer James
I NEED: dark chocolate (my new favorite indulgence)
I SHOULD: get off the computer and get stuff packed to move
I START: tons of books
I FINISH: almost none of them
I TAG: Tiffany, Christa and Jessica (if they'd like to, of course)

And the moving date is...

Well, the very cute little house that we are renting is just about ready. Yard cleaned, lawn mowed, interior painted, floors redone. We will sign the lease probably Monday and camp out there until the May 6th, when our moving crew (aka: us, my grandparents, a few trucks and trailers with help from friends on either end) will bring all of our lovely stuff from Katy and we will officially live in Natchez.

Since Hurricane Katrina, our home has been various places. I am strange in that "home" is not a particular town or house for me. When I think "home", I think of the whole South. I think of laughter and of tears, I think of friends coming to visit and a place where family is reunited. In a sense, I have always been at home. Even when I was away from my house and family last summer for 5 weeks, I felt at home where I was. I suppose as long as you are in the place God wants you, home can be anywhere.
A wise friend stated it best. During the time when we weren't sure where we were going to live, someone asked me "Robin, where do you live?" I opened my mouth to answer, but had no idea what to say. I looked over to this wise person and gasped "Did you hear that? She just asked me where I lived!" "Ahh," was the reply as they turned towards my questioner "she lives in the Lord's hands." Then turning back to me, said "There's no better place to be".

~Robin <><

He is Risen!

Death itself has been defeated. His soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see corruption (Acts 2:31).

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

While His body lay in the grave...

Matthew 27:62 -66
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Good Friday

This post is In honor of Good Friday, a special day to remember something that we should remember every day of our lives. The sacrifice made in our place, the event that tore the vail between God in man: The sacrifice of Christ.

John 19
1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. 4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him." 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!" 6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him." 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God." 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" 11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." 12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15 But they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!"
16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. 17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews." ' " 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." 37 And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

The Great Fall of Merisha

I had just sat down at the computer when Merisha walked in. I told her that I was going to write a post and she replied "About what, your stupid sister?" I replied no. After all, there is nothing stupid about going running in huge, baggy, ankle length koulots that you've fallen and hurt yourself badly in at least once before...right?
She is hitting me. Oh well.

After a stressful evening last night, Merisha and I slept in a bit this morning. When we woke up, we decided to go for a walk (which we do every morning). We walked down my grandparents driveway and started down the big hill just to the left of their house. I usually ran this part of the way, so I suggested that we do it this time. After all, it's a lot easier to run down a hill than to try to walk it. "You wanna run this part?" I asked. Her taking off was the only reply I needed. I was just slightly ahead when I heard something screeching behind me. I looked to see Merisha rolling like a barrel down the hill and off to the ditch in the side of the road. I screamed and instantly felt responsible for the accident. "Why did I have to suggest running? Now Merisha's hurt and we can't finish our walk!" Then I took a close look at her. Her arm was really torn up and one of her fingers was already huge with swelling. "I think it's broken" she said. Wonderful! A harpist with no left index finger! How can we gig now?

It turns out that it doesn't look broken, and she can move it fine (except for the swelling). Now it is now purple though, which is a tad disturbing, but she thinks that she can still play (just not with that finger).
So now we just have to make long sleeves for her ball gown and it everything should still work out fine. Thankfully, her face wasn't at all injured and the scrapes should be on the road to healing before our next gig.

Never a dull moment!

~Robin <><

Our First Natchez Gig

Well, yesterday we got a call from our friend at the Convention Center asking if we could play a gig that night since we'd already be in Natchez for an interview and CD recording. It was rather last minute, but we told her that we'd do it and it became our first Natchez gig. It was for some sort of RV rally or something...I'm still not quite sure what it was. A lot of older people with tons of money and motor homes all met near Natchez for a get together of some kind and they wanted some entertainment that represented the historic culture of the city. Of course, this means that we were in our Southern Belle ball gowns which is always a hit. It was fun, and all of the people were very kind.

Anyway, we're going to help some friends move today, so I must be running along...

~Robin <><

Blogging on the Road: Update 3

Yes, it is definitely time for a new update!

After searching the world over (or so it seemed sometimes) for the perfect place, we have finally found it.
That's right, a decision has been made.
For those of you who have never heard of Natchez, Mississippi, you are really missing out. A quaint town with dozens of Plantations and Antebellum homes, and with some of the kindest, most sincere people I've ever met, it will soon be the place that we call "home".

Now, I must say that at first I had not even the slightest interest in Natchez for only one reason: It is in Mississippi. I don't know about you, but when I think of Mississippi, I think of hicks traipsing through a hole in the wall grocery store with no shoes on (and yes, I saw one of those in another Mississippi town today). The stigma that Mississippi holds for me is deeply engraved in my brain. But after one afternoon in Natchez, I felt like I was stepping back in time to the old south. We will be renting a small (but not too small!) house which was built in the late 1800s and will be playing our harp and flute duet at various events in the historic town.
It has been exciting to see how God has provided us with opportunities to use the musical talents that He has given us and that we have invested so much time, energy and money into.Since Natchez has become a destination wedding spot (if you see these exquisite houses, you'll understand why), and there is not a harpist in town, the owners of these wedding spots are confident that we will be able to secure as many gigs as we can take.
This will provide us with an opportunity to work together (Merisha and I on instruments and Mom managing us), which is our hearts desire. Since the pay is very good, this will also provide us with an opportunity to be at home much more than we first anticipated. Doing just four regular gigs a week (1-2 hours each) will provide well for us, and that's not counting the weddings and other extra events (which we already have found a demand for....we have 14 gigs booked already!!). So we can work outside of the home for 4-16 hours per week (plus optional weekend gigs) and have the rest of that time to work on our homemaking skills!As you can see, I am very excited to see how God has provided for us and taken care of us! We thought that we'd have to work outside of the home for 20-40 hours a week, but He has graciously given us another way.

You want to know something else funny? We unknowingly made a very good connection at the Convention Center. She has booked us to be on two local TV programs, in the newspaper and has scheduled professional photo shoots for us on the grounds of these historic homes and halls. It turns out that the city wants to use us in their publicity. This will be good for us (free publicity for our duet) and good for them (they will be able to use the same photos for their advertisements). It's all so exciting!

So anyway, I must go practice my flute for a bit before bed!
~Robin <><

Blogging on the Road: Update 2

A quick update to let people know what's the latest scoop.
Several weeks later than first anticipated, we are now in Mississippi with my grandparents.
My grandfather's birthday was made wonderful by the addition of all of his children and all but three of his grandchildren. It was quite a surprise for him!
Unfortunately, the day after his birthday, while all of the family were still in, I came down sick with some sort of sinus infection. Not fun. The sore throat and congestion were livable, but when I woke up one morning with my eyes red and glazed, I knew something had to give. After several days of walking around looking as if I've been crying my eyes out, I was no better. So yesterday we went south to see my loved and trusted doctor from New Orleans. As expected, I was given anti-biotics and a couple of other things to clear everything up. By last night, I was feeling much better.
When we got back to Mississippi, I was on the sofa relishing how I could lay down and still actually breathe when I felt something pop in my eye. "Does this never end?" Sure enough, a blood vessel had popped in my right eye. Wonderful, just wonderful. No my eye has a huge (well, it seems huge to me), rather frightening and quite unattractive blood spot on it. I'm assured that it will eventually clear up on it's own but I (being ever so patient) am having a hard time finding this as comfort.
So here I am, perfectly useless (anti-biotics always knock the life out of me) with not much to do but think of my woes and ponder the sins of vanity and pride.

We had an insightful meeting with Angie Matherne from Destrehan Plantation yesterday and she had many wonderful ideas for us. I'll keep you posted as things start happening.

~Robin <><

Blogging on the Road: Update 1

Hello everyone! After a three day visit to our Aunt and Uncle in San Antonio (who we've been intending to go see since we moved to Texas), we came to Tyler. We got in yesterday and will continue to do some looking around for the next few days. We already have some leads that we're looking into, which is encouraging.
Next week we'll treck off to Mississippi for my grandfather's 70th birthday celebration. Our family will again be reunited, which is always a blessing. How fun to see all of my cousins and aunts and uncles again!

~Robin <><

Hitting the Trails

We have a very busy couple of weeks ahead of us!
If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know that it's because I'm scampering about the country visiting family and friends and checking out what opportunities we might have in different places.
As I have the access and free time, I'll update everyone on where we are and what we're doing.

Ciao!
~Robin <><

The Elephant in the Room

It looks as if everyone else has a new post up, so I guess it's about that time!
The reason that I haven't posted is the fact that I haven't had a whole lot to say.
I sit down in front of the computer screen and say "What shall I post about today?" I sit for a moment thinking that I'll have a revolutionary idea to post about any minute. Nothing comes to mind. I type out a few words, move them around a bit and end up deleting them all. "Why this lack of blogging inspiration?" I wonder aloud. In the end, I close the window, and repeat the saga the next day, sure that this time something bloggable will soon pop into my head.

At one point I realized that the reason that I didn't have anything to say is because of the elephant in the room. Ah, yes...that! We've all had those experiences, right? Something happens that everyone knows about, but no one talks about because it's awkward.
It's like a huge elephant standing right in the middle of the living room that everyone avoids mentioning. "What's that elephant doing in the middle of the room?" people wonder. No one else says anything, so everyone just sits there acting like everything is perfectly normal. Funny how that happens. I think having elephants in the room, while slightly unnerving, has its humorous aspects.

Most of you know by now what the elephant in the middle of my life is. Just in case you've missed out, I shall make a statement of the obvious.
As alluded to in my last post, we have moved and are no longer working or living in Katy, TX.
Everyone has the same question: "Why?" Their concern is evident, and the question is a perfectly logical one.
However, I shall save all of you dear people the trouble by stating up front that for the sake of all of us involved, the particulars of the events surrounding our move are better left unsaid. In short, things have not worked out as we had hoped.
But just because I'm not telling you, don't imagine the worst! Be assured that I have many wonderful memories of this season and will think back on it with joy. I will remember it with joy because of what I've learned and experianced, but most of all because of the people I've grown to love.
Yes, of course, there have been trying times but I daresay the tears of sadness and anger because of them has ceased. I have been given gladness for mourning and peace for dispair.

The second most asked question is "What's next? Where do you go from here?" Hmm, another perfectly logical question. Every time I hear it I cringe before giving the true answer: "I don't know."
Your prayers are welcome during this time of transition. Just as I believe that it was the by the direction of God that we moved to Katy in the first place, I am confident that He will guide us again in our next step.

~Robin <><

Tiffany's 20th Birthday

Today I will make a belated post in honor of the twentieth birthday of my very dear friend, Tiffany.

Always up to the most difficult challenges with a smile, she is diligent, kind, loving and long-suffering. Her quest for christlikeness is apparent in how she treats others, and her strength of character shown every day.
Through these last 125 or so days, not one has ended with strife between the two of us. Quick to offer a hug during hard times, and always quick to forgive when I've failed, I am honored to call her my friend.
From the "unforgettable cranberry molds" to frolicking down Fry, it's been real!

Happy Birthday, Tiffany. It has been an honor to live, work and worship alongside you for past four months. You are, and will continue to be an inspiration to me.

I love you, my dear Tiffany. Our season of constant acquaintance may be over, but our friendship will never be.

God bless in this coming year!

~Robin <><

Eighteen Things I've Learned

For my 18th birthday, I decided that I would post 18 things that I've learned through the years. Unfortunately, I don't really have computer access on the weekends, so today (my first day back at work since my birthday) will have to be close enough to February 5th.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive nor is in any particular order :)

1 Mom really is always right
2 Attitude is everything
3 Love is a choice
4 Hard times will either make you or break you
5 If you want to make a difference in the world, don't try to be like everyone else
6 You can't change other people
7 Living your life for Christ is the most effective tract
8 Patience is a virtue. If you are patient with angry people, they change their tone like a light
9 Nothing good in life comes without risk
10 Life is fleeting
11 Sometimes you just have to say no
12 Friendships take a lot of work
13 Trust is essential in any relationship. The closer the relationship, the more trust is required
14 Memorizing a book of the Bible isn't as hard as it sounds (yes, I finally finished it!)
15 Contentment is key in every circumstance
16 Everyone sees and loathes everyone else's inconsistencies and hypocrisies, but usually fail to see their own
17 Debating and challenging ideas is helpful to define one's own beliefs
18 Living 14 people under one roof is fun

~Robin <><

I've been tagged....again.

7 Things I Would Like to do Before I Die:
1. Go sky diving (I wanted Melissa and I to go for our 18th birthday, but she wouldn't hear of it)
2. Get married
3. Travel the world
4. Learn Italian
5. Become more proficient on all of my instruments
7. Memorize more books of the bible

7 Things I cannot do very well:
1. Find 7 things I can't do well (haha, just kidding)
2. Sight read music
3. Give people the benefit of the doubt
4. Sew. I sew, people laugh
5. Appreciate fiction books. I can't stand fiction, save the 4 I listed below
6. Play any sort of sport. Basketball, baseball, volleyball, - you name it, I can't play it
7. Play violin. A horrific sound, by all accounts

7 Top favorite movies:
I don't like movies. I've seen tons, but none of them really did much for me. I mean, there might be some that were okay or even good, but every time I write them down I think "you know, that really isn't worth mentioning". So, I've decided to change mine to "7 least favorite movies" (though this is FAR from exhaustive):
1. Gladiator
2. The Quiet Man
3. The Great Escape (though I liked the story, the soundtrack atrocious. It sounded like circus music the WHOLE time.)
4. Star Wars movies
5. My Fair Lady (or any other musical for that matter)
6. Peter Pan (especially the new one)
7. Finding Neverland

7 Things that I say often:
1. Hi! My name's Robin and I'll be serving you today. Can I get you started with something to drink?
2. You shall not surely die
3. What a trip
4. There you go
5. What's THAT supposed to mean?
6. On and on and on... (but they all make fun of the way I say "on". I say it more like a combination of "on" and "juan"- owwn. Whatever. Everyone here says "ahn".
7. Hey, Chickie (my pet name for my sister)

7 things that I would like in a husband:
1. Fears God
2. A strong leader: more stubborn than I am :)
3. Has a defined vision and purpose
4. Interacts well with people
5. Not given to tantrums (yeah, screaming people really freak me out)
6. Confident without being full of himself
7. Someone who loves children

7 of my favorite books/authors:
1. The Bible
2. R. C. Sproul Sr.'s work
3. Homemaking
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. The Giver
6. The Bronze Bow
7. Madman

7 people that I tag to write their 7x7's:
1. Farmer James (payback time)
2. Leah
3. The Swamp Celt
4. Shelby welby woo
5. Jeppy
6. Emmy
7. Christa (you haven't been tagged yet, have you?)

Happy Birthday!

Today is Melissa McDonald's 18th birthday. Though we haven't had a whole lot of time to get to know each other since she is usually at home while I'm usually at the store, I have made certain observations of her.
She was the first McDonald I met on our very first visit to Katy. One of the first things I noticed about her was that she is often very quiet. I'm not, as you all well know, so to see a quiet person always intrigues me. I suppose that is because finding someone who knows when to keep their mouth shut is such a rare find. Once I got to know her a little better, I learned that though she is still one of the quietest in the family, she has quite a sense of humor about her.

Another thing that is immediately apparent is that she is amazing in caring for the children. Firm, yet kind. Loving them enough to not give into their every whim. Fair and balanced in her judgments and consistent even when it hurts. Sometimes I think that she's just about to give in to the insistence of one of her little charges, but no. I haven't seen her back down yet.

So many happy returns of the day, my dear. I feel so young now that you have abandoned me and left be as a young 17 yr old. Don't get too used to being older, though. My birthday is only a week away. We shall be the same age again soon :)

~Your Twin (well, PRACTICALLY...)

From Grief to Glory

What do you say to a mother about to bury her 5 day old son? What kind of consolation can you offer in the midst of such grief?

Yesterday we received a call from our dear friend Leah, informing us of the death of the son of a precious family we know from the New Orleans area.
Five days on this earth. Born to one of the most godly families that I know.

The only recurring coherent thought I have on the subject is Job's response when he was told of the sudden death of every one of his children:
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, " Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22

In His Sovereignty, the Lord gave this child. And also in His Sovereignty, the Lord has taken him away.

Please be in prayer for the parents and surviving children at this time.

~Robin